Kumasi Detour

Three days in Kumasi and this is the only photo taken. Shame.

While Grandma and Grandpa were maximizing their time in Ghana during the harsh northern winter, Mr. O still had work responsibilities, including a business trip to Kumasi, Ghana's second city and the capital of Ashantiland. Mr. O does seem to find his way there rather often. Being a good family man, he paid for the whole family to come along, which meant no daylong drives or AC-less rooms. Instead, they took the hour-long commuter flight and stayed at the Golden Tulip.

While Mr. O was busy working during the day, the family enjoyed their ample buffets and relaxing by the pool - save for Little Miss, who does not relax.

However, Grandma and Grandpa are not the hoity-toity type. They and Mrs. O decided to delve into the heart of Kumasi: Kejetia Market, the largest open-air market in West Africa. In a city of traders and businesspeople, this labyrinth is home to thousands of stalls selling anything imaginable under the sun, managed by market ladies and supplied by an army of porters who need to carry supplies on their heads through the constricted alleyways. While one might imagine colourful fabrics and unique local art, nowadays it is mostly cheap Chinese goods - a massive dollar store. That being said, here are some photos to colour one's imagination.

Grandma and Grandpa's enthusiasm for eschewing hotel pools for hectic local markets is quite astounding, as most people have only heard about it from their guide books or from backpackers - it's simply not a place for (sane) tourists. Yet in they went. Twice.

Otherwise, the stay at the Golden Tulip was good, although it was noted that the business-like price did not justify the ho-hum rooms. It could be worse though: behind the bed, Mrs. O found a comment card from a guest complaining that the water was out for three days. So they count their blessings.